Senior Leadership

Gina Machado

Chief Executive Officer
(209) 526-1476 ext. 167

Gina has dedicated over two decades supporting the mission of CHS. Beginning as a volunteer in 2001, her commitment and expertise led her to join the Board of Trustees in 2008, marking the start of her journey. Over the years, Gina has held various roles within CHS, including the Fund Development and Operations Director. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) and brings over 15 years of experience in banking management and finance. Gina is actively engaged in the community and serves as the current President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Yosemite Chapter, is a member of the Modesto Rotary Club and sits as a school site council member at her child’s school. Gina remains committed to the agency’s mission, addressing some of the community’s most critical needs. In her personal life, she finds joy in being a wife and proud mother of three boys.

Sarah Sacco

Chief Operating Officer
(209) 526-1476 ext. 135

Sarah joined Center for Human Services in 2023 as Operations Director and now serves as Chief Operating Officer. She brings more than 14 years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. She combines clinical and operational experience with a thoughtful, strategic approach to process improvement, systems development, and organizational effectiveness. Throughout her career, she has led efforts to strengthen service delivery, build scalable infrastructure, and implement systems that support high-quality outcomes for clients, families, and staff. She is passionate about supporting teams through training, mentorship, and professional development, helping to build strong and sustainable organizations. Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Stanislaus, and is a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst. She is committed to advancing the organization’s mission and long-term impact in the community.

Steve Collins

Program Director – Behavioral Health
(209) 526-1476 ext. 159

Steve Collins began volunteering at the Center for Human Services in 2003 and soon began working full time as a school based Mental Health Clinician. He became a fully licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in 2011 and joined the Leadership team at CHS where has served as a Clinical Coordinator, Program Manager, and as of July 2022, the Behavioral Health Director. During the 2012-2013 year, Steve was awarded as the CHS Employee of the Year for his work in the field. Steve’s passion and dedication to helping others makes him a wonderful asset to CHS.

Liz Elizondo

Program Director – Youth Services
(209) 526-1476 ext. 148

Liz Elizondo began her journey with CHS in 2006 as a Prevention Specialist in the Youth Services Department. For the next six years, Liz served in several youth-related programs with a focus on improving the social and emotional well-being of young people. In 2012, Liz was promoted to Program Coordinator and, soon after, Program Manager. In August 2023, Liz was selected as the Youth Services Director. Throughout her time at CHS, Liz has had a passion for innovative youth programming. Her dedication, wisdom, and years of experience will be a wonderful asset to Center for Human Services.

Diana Fuentes

Sr. Operations Manager
(209) 526-1476 ext. 474

Diana Fuentes joined Center for Human Services in 2024 as the Behavioral Health Operations Manager and currently serves as the Senior Operations Manager. With a background in operations, staff development, behavior analysis, behavioral health, and employment law, she brings a well-rounded perspective to improving systems, navigating compliance and organizational needs, and supporting effective service delivery.

Diana is passionate about process improvement, collaboration, and creating practical systems that help teams work more efficiently. She enjoys simplifying complex processes, strengthening communication, and partnering with leaders and staff to develop sustainable solutions that support agency needs.

Diana holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from California State University, Stanislaus, with concentrations in Psychology, Sociology, and Communication Studies, and has completed postgraduate coursework in Applied Behavior Analysis. She values continuous improvement and supporting CHS as the agency continues to grow and serve the community.

Betty Ann Martinho

Accounting Director
(209) 526-1476 ext. 123

Betty Ann joined Center for Human Services in 2018 as Finance Director and is currently the Accounting Director. Betty Ann graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree with a concentration in Accounting from CSU Stanislaus. She brings over 30 years of accounting experience serving both in public accounting, private for profit businesses and her own experience in her family real estate investments. She also serves as a board member of the Stanislaus County Community Health Board and serves on various committees for local nonprofits. Betty Ann works well with funders and staff in fulfilling our contractual obligations and day to day fiscal administration of the agency. Betty Ann enjoys being involved in activities to promote her Portuguese culture and traveling with her daughter playing club volleyball. She is passionate about the good work that CHS does in the community.

Johnny Padilla

Development & Communications Director
(209) 526-1476 ext. 144

Johnny joined CHS in 2026 as the Development & Communications Director, bringing a decade of public sector experience to the agency’s mission. Specializing in strategic communications, grant management, and community engagement, Johnny has a proven track record of driving large scale initiatives, including the successful execution of an $85 million bond and competitive grant portfolio. He holds a Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a minor in Communications, both from California State University Stanislaus. Though effective storytelling, community partnerships, and proactive fund development, Johnny is eager to contribute to the CHS team to broaden the agency’s impact on the families and communities we serve. Outside of work, Johnny enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two young children.

Emily Webster

Program Director – Youth Navigation Center
(209) 526-1476 ext. 525

Emily began with CHS in 2004 as a Student Assistance Specialist in the Youth Services Department shortly after graduating with her Bachelor’s Degree from CSU Stanislaus. She moved into various leadership positions within Youth Services before transitioning to the Youth Navigation Center Director in 2020. Emily is passionate about helping people, and promoting change and growth within her community. She enjoys working alongside her team at the Youth Navigation Center and with community partners to help end youth homelessness in Stanislaus County.

Carmen Wilson

Finance Director
(209) 526-1476 ext. 122

Carmen joined Center for Human Services in 2014. She has a BS in Business Administration from Cal Berkeley and is a licensed CPA. Carmen worked in public accounting for over 20 years serving nonprofit, government and corporate clients. She brought her skills and experience to CHS, leading at various times in finance, operations and human resources. Carmen’s true talent lies in finance; her strong analytical and communication skills can make complex information understandable. As the Finance Director, she strives to connect day-to-day finance activities to program results and fiscal sustainability. In addition to her work at CHS, Carmen is a school board member and participates in various local committees; she is the #1 fan of her family and their individual pursuits.

Karina Lara

Senior Human Resources Manager
(209) 526-1476 ext. 170

Karina joined Center for Human Services in 2016 as an Administrative Assistant before transitioning into Human Resources in 2019. She now serves as Senior Human Resources Manager, where she oversees the agency’s Human Resources Department. She believes that supporting employees is one of the best ways to strengthen the care and services CHS provides throughout the community. She is passionate about balancing compliance with compassion, building strong relationships, and partnering with leaders to create consistent HR practices that support employees and strengthen the organization. She is committed to creating a workplace where employees feel heard, respected, and supported. Karina earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and is proud to have built her Human Resources career at Center for Human Services. Outside of work, Karina enjoys spending time with her family and values the balance of raising her children while pursuing a career dedicated to supporting others.

Yvette Morris

Sr. Executive Assistant
(209) 526-1476 ext. 172

Yvette is an accomplished Executive Assistant with a track record of optimizing executive workflows and enhancing organizational efficiency. With over a decade of experience in executive support, she has been a valuable asset to CHS for two years. Yvette believes in the power of work-life balance and enjoys sharing tips for achieving it. Outside the office, you’ll find her spending time with family, in the kitchen cooking, or vacationing in Disneyland! She joined CHS Connects with the hope to share her extensive experience in space planning, logistics, and budgeting, and she is enthusiastic about leveraging this experience to support the fantastic work of the CHS Connects Team.